president obama has spoken. he has promised he will not sign any bill that mortgages our future to pay for handouts for the wealthiest 2% of americans. i only hope house republicans have been listening. i also hope my colleagues, republicans and democrats, members of the house and the senate, used the thanksgiving break not only to give thanks but also to reflect on the monumental tasks ahead. i hope they took time to reflect on the effort it will take to complete these tasks. as president eisenhower said, there will have to be compromises, and seeking the middle of the road isn't just ac mr. mcconnell: mr. president? the presiding officer: the republican leader. mr. mcconnell: as most americans know by now, the next few weeks are clinton cally important in the life of our nation. unless -- are critically important in the life of our nation. unless the president leads and congress acts, a combination of tax hikes and spending cuts could go into effect that would have a devastating effect on our national defense